>> Let me know when you plan to emigrate.<<
Those kinds of snide remarks are indicative of where your heart is. I have watched that as we have debated. I would suggest that you seriously re study the verses on scoffing.
I’ll be gone for about a week to my dad’s funeral.
Paul had much more severe things for people who would senselessly mutilate themselves for the cause of Christ.
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, (Phil. 3)Paul was reminding gentile believers what true circumcision is all about, and warning them of the Jews who would put pressure on them to follow the law of Moses, including the need for physical circumcision, to prove their fidelity. It’s hard to read Philippians 3 in particular and get any comfort from gentile circumcision.
He also has this to say in Galatians 5:
9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off! 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.If you examine verse 12 in the original Greek, Paul is literally saying that he wishes their troublers would go castrate (apokoyontai) themselves!! Not a very pleasant thought. But given the gravity of the issue, quite appropriate.
Some of these folks use the excuse that it’s all voluntary, that they are trying to “keep Torah” just like Jesus did. It’s quite obvious that no one can “keep Torah” like Jesus did in this new covenant age. It’s a fabrication. Then there’s the subtle (or perhaps not so subtle) pressure in the body of Christ from the notion that “I’m better to you spiritually because I got circumcised to be like Jesus,” which is an abomination in its divisiveness.
Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum puts it this way:
But does not the Book of Galatians argue against the practice of circumcision? Yes and no. Circumcision for Gentiles, circumcision on the basis of the Mosaic Law, and circumcision for justification or sanctification are all wrong. The Book of Galatians condemns circumcision as a means for justification. Except for health and medical reasons, there is never any need or requirement for Gentile circumcision. Furthermore, Messianic believers who circumcise on the basis of the Law of Moses are also wrong, since the Law ended with the Messiah. But this same book clearly states that the Abrahamic Covenant is still very much in effect with all its features, and this includes circumcision. So circumcision on the basis of the Abrahamic Covenant is right and proper, and it is my conviction that it is still very much in effect for Jewish believers. Paul, who taught the Gentiles not to circumcise, did not so teach the Jews; this is clear from Acts 21:17-26, and from Acts 16:1-3 when he had Timothy circumcised. It was not circumcision per se that was ruled out, rather, circumcision on the basis of Mosaic Law. (Jews, Gentiles, Christians)Honestly, I don’t believe circumcision for religious reasons is right for any Christian, but if Jewish believers which to observe it for strictly cultural reasons, that’s find by me.
Sorry about the loss of your dad. May you find comfort in knowing he is in the Lord’s presence.
The Heidelberg CatechismQuestion 1. What is your only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.